Saints Report Card - Carolina Panthers

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Sunday, September 11, 2005 - Times Picayune
Saints report card
OFFENSE: B+
Sure, there was a lull in the middle. But you can't argue with the way the Saints started or finished. They came out and played exactly according to ...

OFFENSE: B+
Sure, there was a lull in the middle. But you can't argue with the way the Saints started or finished. They came out and played exactly according to the plan they put into place back in February, controlling the clock and methodically moving downfield. The two first-half touchdown drives lasted a combined 15:23. They were the only two touchdowns for the Saints, but the last-minute, game-winning field goal drive was equally impressive. Aaron Brooks completed his first eight passes and finished 18 of 24 with 192 yards. He fumbled once, but threw no interceptions. Deuce McAllister ran 26 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns. And tight end Ernie Conwell had his best performance yet as a Saint, with six catches for 71 yards, before leaving with a dislocated jaw.

DEFENSE: B
A couple big plays hurt the Saints ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Âœ a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith in the first quarter when cornerback Mike McKenzie seemingly had Smith wrapped up, and a 39-yard run by Stephen Davis in the third quarter that led to a touchdown. But, for the most part, the Saints run defense was better than usual. And, on both run and pass plays, the Saints tacklers wrapped up and did not allow extra yardage. Plus, the Saints made their own big plays on defense ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Âœ interceptions by McKenzie and Jason Craft, and a forced fumble by Will Smith that was recovered by Darren Howard. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã‚Â¦ Too bad Howard fumbled it away with an ill-advised pitch attempt, but it wound up not hurting the Saints.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A
In his 16th season, kicker John Carney had one of his best career performances, making all three field-goal attempts, including a 48-yarder and a last-second 47-yarder. Mitch Berger's two punts were both outstanding ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â€Âœ a 54-yarder and another placed inside the 10-yard line in the fourth quarter. The Saints' kick coverage was decent. Michael Lewis fumbled a punt return, but it fortunately went out of bounds.

I thought the offense was 100% better because the play call was shockingly good. They actually used Deuce and when our WR's were double teamed they threw to the Tight End. And hey, somebody told Brooks to scramble if the opening was there. And our defense, our cornerbacks used the sidelines to press the Carolina receivers out of bounds. Carolina was holding Charles Grant on every single play. The only thing is, the Beer Man better just catch the ball and do nothing fancy, otherwise he'll be stocking shelves at a store near you next season. All NFL teams have no patience with return men.